Politicians Summoned Right After New Year’s Holidays

Senior prosecutor Ahn Dai-hui, who is leading the ongoing investigation into slush funds, said on January 16 that he would summon seven or eight politicians right after the Lunar New Year holidays for questioning over allegations during the presidential election.

“The politicians who will be summoned are new figures never mentioned before,” Ahn said. “I’m trying to complete the investigation for the nation sooner.” The prosecution has banned several politicians from leaving the country due to the severity of the allegations against them and the possibility that they might try to escape to foreign countries.

After completing the investigation, the prosecution will summon another 10 politicians who have allegedly used illicit funds in private ways.

Prosecutors also received clues that not only did the Hanwha Corporation give one billion won in certificates of deposit (CDs) to the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) during the 2002 election, but that it had also provided a slush fund worth 4 billion won to the Grand National Party.

“We will get a report automatically when Lotte Group chairman Shin Kyuk-ho, who is staying in Japan, enters Korea,” prosecutors said. “As soon as he comes back, he will be under investigation for collecting and providing illicit funds.”

The prosecution will also summon Rep. Lee Sang-soo of the Uri Party, then-chief of Roh’s campaign team, for questioning over illegal fundraising allegations on January 17. The prosecution is investigating Seo Jung-woo, Lee`s former legal advisor, for misrepresenting and protecting three other members in the party who are involved in the fund raising scandal.

Wi-Yong Jung Tae-Hoon Lee viyonz@donga.com jefflee@donga.com